Busy Times In Tampa

from Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times (Monday edtion), The (Brad) Richards drama is just part of what will be a busy week for Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman, and what could be a defining one as well.

Center Steven Stamkos has said he is ?close? to a new contract. And Yzerman on Sunday, after the draft at the Xcel Energy Center, reiterated he is ?optimistic? something will get done.

But if Stamkos, who has a league-best 96 goals the past two seasons, is not signed by Friday he becomes a restricted free agent open to offers from other teams. Yzerman has indicated he will match them but that undoubtedly would jack up Stamkos? salary further than the $7 million a season most expect.

Yzerman also is negotiating with goalies Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith, both of whom can be unrestricted free agents. Qualifying offers go out today to maintain negotiating rights with restricted free agents, of which Teddy Purcell is one. It already seems Sean Bergenheim is headed for the open market.

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/busy_times_in_tampa/

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